In a show of mercy, Calabasas had the ball on the Thousand Oaks 12-yard line late in the first half with three timeouts remaining and elected to take a knee to get into the locker room.

"We've known those guys for awhile and have a lot of respect for (Thousand Oaks head coach) Mike (Leibin)," Clausen said. "No need to do anything stupid."

Julien Stokes caught a 13-yard touchdown pass and rushed for a 2-yard score. Keithan Gooden scored the game's first points on a 53-yard touchdown run. Casey's 33-yard scoring pass to Kylen Ross gave the Coyotes (8-1, 2-0) a 23-0 lead with 8:49 remaining before halftime. Even the kicker Andrew Allen got in on the action. Allen kicked a 20-yard field goal and added a 30-yard field goal in the second half.

Casey connected with several receivers, including sophomore Johnny Wilson, Nikko Hall, Mycah Pittman, Gooden, Ross and Stokes. Each player caught at least one pass of more than 10 yards.

"It's just really important that we don't give away possessions," Clausen said. "We want to see Jaden keep improving each week with accuracy and we want to utilize his legs more."

Stokes has exploded on the scene the last couple weeks rushing the ball to give Calabasas a solid trio with Gooden and Johnny Williams.

"We want o be as balanced as we can be," Clausen said. "We need to be able to utilize all our players and weapons we have. It's good to see different guys contributing and executing."

Thousand Oaks (2-7, 0-2) showed some signs of life in the second half. Blake Augustine, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end, caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Chase Artopoeus. Michael Crockett ripped off a 95-yard touchdown run to get the Lancers within three scores with 6:26 remaining.

The Calabasas defense cannot be overlooked even though the offense gets much of the attention. The Coyotes have turned things around after allowing 63 points to Valencia back in September. Zack Boyle, Zack Shadorf, Connor Beautrow, Riley Welles and Mykee Irving have helped Calabasas hold opponents to a combined 78 points in its last four games.

Irving had an interception Friday and the defense forced several three-and-outs.

The league championship comes down to a winner-take-all game next week at Moorpark.

"We were able to heal some guys up and get healthy for next week," Clausen said. "We need our guys healthy and at full strength. Every game now is a big game with something on the line."

Thousand Oaks finishes up at Newbury Park trying to possibly reach the playoffs and knock Newbury Park's season completely off the rails after high expectations.

Ventura Orthopedics Game of the Week is every Friday night at vcstar.com